Ask Joe: What do we do with our old trash cans ?

Question:Now that Waste Management has launched its new single stream recycling program many of our viewers are wondering how they are supposed to get rid of their old trash cans.George Woodside wrote in about this. He says now that we have our new trash containers from Waste Management, what is going on with the old 96 gallon cans? George says he called Waste Management and was told the old cans would be picked up on their next normal pick up today but that hasn't happened yet.

Answer:George is not the only one who has asked about this. Another viewer sent in a picture of their trash can with a note attached asking Waste Management to come pick it up. I did check with Waste Management about this. I was told you have to call them and schedule a pick-up. The number to call is 1-800-637-8648. The operator I spoke with said there is no charge for the pick-up and once you schedule it they will usually make arrangements to pick it up on your next service day. So apparently there is some confusion out there now that the reclycling containers and new trash cans have been delivered. It just takes a phone call to get them to come out and take your old can away.

Just call them? I tried for nearly two months to get them to take the old cans. Instead they delivered even more new cans to where I had a total of six cans. I finally took them down and dumped them in their yard and told the worker there to figure it out. WM is by far the most inept company in existence. Also one of the few who charges it's customers for pickup of recyclable material. Needless to say I don't participate in their recycling program.

WM and Reno keep U uninformed, that's policy. For example, my neighbor (a senior citizen) had no idea what to do with 'tags for extra bags' (thought they were junk mail). On the other hand, clueless next door left out bags of leaves, which WM didn't remove. Before, U could use smaller plastic cans, which truck crew could just dump into the auto-loader container. Now, must use bags!? Not "green" by any 'stretch'.

Hey Joe, If they are able to sell the recycled material for profit, they were able to contract the city to MAKE you use THEIR trash cans, and they were able to reduce their labor force by using the new trucks that require less crew to operate, how come my bill has gone UP? that's the question I'd like answered